Analysis of Antimicrobial-Triggered Membrane Depolarization Using Voltage Sensitive Dyes.

ABSTRACT: The bacterial cytoplasmic membrane is a major inhibitory target for antimicrobial compounds. Commonly, although not exclusively, these compounds unfold their antimicrobial activity by disrupting the essential barrier function of the cell membrane. As a consequence, membrane permeability assays are central for mode of action studies analysing membrane-targeting antimicrobial compounds. The most frequently used in vivo methods detect changes in membrane permeability by following internalization of normally membrane impermeable and relatively large fluorescent dyes. Unfortunately, these assays are not sensitive to changes in membrane ion permeability which are sufficient to inhibit and kill bacteria by membrane depolarization. In this manuscript, we provide experimental advice how membrane po

SUBMITTER: Te Winkel JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4829611 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature